Obama to lead Chicago rally

First public appearance in hometown since his 2008 victory night

October 29, 2010|By Erika Slife, Tribune reporter

With midterm elections just days away, President Barack Obama will speak Saturday at a Democratic rally in Hyde Park, his first public appearance in Chicago since his 2008 election-night victory rally in Grant Park.

Obama's visit to Midway Plaisance in Hyde Park will be his ninth get-out-the-vote rally as he criss-crosses the country in an effort to energize core Democrats and remind voters that his agenda relies on the party's ability to retain control of Congress.

Obama is supporting first-term state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias against five-term North Shore Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk in the battle for the U.S. Senate seat that Obama once held. The White House also has been campaigning for Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn against Republican state Sen. Bill Brady.

The Moving America Forward Rally, not far from Obama's Kenwood home on the South Side, will feature a performance by hip-hop artist Common. The multi-Grammy winner and Chicago native was featured in the viral music video "Yes We Can," a song produced by will.i.am in support of Obama's campaign for the presidency.

"I definitely believe my voice and my participation will help mobilize voters," Common said in a conference call Friday with reporters.

Attendees will be allowed onto the rally site at 4:30 p.m., organizers said. The event is free, and plans allow for up to 55,000 people, according to Chicago Park District officials.

On Friday, a group of students with the University of Chicago Democrats gathered with other party officials at the Midway to make signs for Saturday's rally.

"I think there probably isn't a better way to get voters to energize than having a president come and lead the get-out-the-vote effort (and) have a big rally," said student Daniel Comeaux, 18. "They're projecting huge crowds tomorrow. I think it will be a good turnout, and I think it will be lots of fun."

Roads surrounding the Midway will be closed, from 58th Street on the north to 61st Street on the south and from Cottage Grove Avenue on the west to Stony Island Avenue on the east. Parking on those streets will be prohibited beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday, according to University of Chicago officials.

Street closures will not take effect until the crowd size begins to swell, city officials said. Streets are expected to reopen after crowds subside. The CTA plans to add buses and trains to accommodate the expected increase in ridership before and after the rally, officials said.

University of Chicago officials said the university-owned parking garage at 55th Street and Ellis Avenue will be open for free parking on Saturday but cautioned that spaces might be limited. They also said that Medical Center visitors will be able to get to 58th Street from Cottage Grove Avenue in order to reach the hospital.